Class 5A Region 4: Player Preview

Michael Costeines

February 15, 2022 @ 01:28 PM

Let’s keep the wheels turning with a preview of Class 5A Region 4. The No. 1 seed is Fort Lauderdale Stranahan. The Mighty Dragons are 22-3 overall under head coach Edward Schuler. 2023 Hykeem Williams Hykeem Williams 6'4" | PF Stranahan | 2023 FL is averaging a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds per game. This kid will hammer it down with his extension and power near the basket.The 6-foot-4 forward is also a standout football player with seemingly every D-1 offer in the country. 2022 Houston Culpepper Houston Culpepper 6'3" | CG Stranahan | 2022 State FL is a bulldozer at forward. The 6-foot 3, 225-pound prospect is averaging 10.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Culpepper is a strong kid that can face up or score with his back to the basket. 2022 Tamarrien Thorpe has made a team-best 44 3-pointers. 2022 Jaylen Black is a quick guard that can dish it out (4.5 apg). The Mighty Dragons won back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020. I think this team is battle tested and ready for another championship run. The No. 8 seed is Eau Gallie out of Melbourne. The Commodores are 17-11 overall behind 2022 Jake Hilliard Jake Hilliard 6'4" | CG Eau Gallie | 2022 State FL (16.8 ppg/10.2 rpg) and 2023 Derrick Collins (15.3 ppg/6.6 rpg). 2022 Shaun Armstrong has made a team-best 61 3-pointers.

No. 4 seed Belen Jesuit will face No. 5 seed Suncoast. The Wolverines are 18-6 overall and have won eight straight games. 2023 Javier Rosell Javier Rosell 5'11" | PG Belen Jesuit | 2023 State FL is a dual-threat guard. The 5-foot-11 floor general has averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. 2022 Adrian Delgado is averaging 15.2 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. Riviera Beach Suncoast (19-5) came within a basket of beating Stranahan in the district final. This is a team with a huge presence inside in 2024 Ian Smikle Ian Smikle 6'9" | C Suncoast | 2024 State FL (13.3 ppg/12.3 rpg). 2024 Stone Bureau Stone Bureau 6'0" | PG Calvary Christian Academy, Ft. Lauderdale | 2024 State FL is an excellent shot blocking guard (1.2 bpg). The 6-foot playmaker is also averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and three steals per game. 2023 Nate Sasser Nate Sasser 6'6" | SG Suncoast | 2023 State #207 Nation FL is a versatile player with length and athleticism. The 6-foot-6 wing has averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Sasser holds an offer from Florida Gulf Coast and South Florida.

No. 2 seed Miami Norland will face No. 7 seed Okeechobee. The Vikings are 18-9 overall and have won five straight games. 2024 Marcus Allen Marcus Allen 6'6" | SF Norland (FL) | 2024 State #56 Nation FL is averaging a team-best 18.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the floor. The 6-foot-6 wing holds offers from Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State and Miami. 2023 Carl Parrish Carl Parrish 6'3" | PG Miami Norland Sr | 2023 State FL is averaging ten points per game and has knocked down a team-best 40 3-pointers. 2022 Lionel Swaby Lionel Swaby 6'7" | PF Norland | 2022 State FL (6’7) is a solid rim protector with 6.7 boards per game. The Brahmans (21-5) are led by 2022 Amayoa’ah Phillips. The 6-foot-1 point guard is averaging 23.6 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor. 2022 Jayquavious Thomas is averaging 11.3 points and team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. 2022 shooting guard Daniel Phillips has made a team-best 44 3-pointers.

No. 3 seed Miami Northwestern will face No. 6 seed Rockledge. The Bulls are 16-3 overall under head coach Melvin Randall. 2022 Camari Austin is averaging a team-best 17.3 points while shooting 54 percent from the field. Moreover, Austin has made 54 3-pointers. 2023’s PJ Paulk PJ Paulk 6'3" | CG Northwestern | 2023 State FL (15.2 ppg) and Jamai Hager-Tejada Jamai Hager-Tejada 5'10" | CG Mater Lakes | 2023 FL (13.9 ppg) provide additional offense. The 6-foot-2 Paulk is also an excellent rebounder at guard (5.1 rpg). Hager-Tejada can stretch the floor from deep (32 3pm). The Raiders are 21-3 overall and have won four straight games. 2022 Jordan White Jordan White 6'4" | CG Rockledge | 2022 State FL (13.4 ppg) and 2023 Howard Graham (10.8 ppg) lead the way.

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